Auricle System Requirements

IBM PC or Compatible: For obvious reason, the preferred hardware platforms among the pros here in Hollywood have been portables. The current favorite is the HP Omnibook 800ct (pictured above). Up until a few years ago, Toshiba "lugables" (the 3200sx/c, 6400c, 6600c, etc.) were most popular. The now 'out-of-print' Yamaha C1 portable is no longer supported but will still work acceptably if you have or can find one. Any other platforms should meet the following criteria:

Intel or compatible x286 or better (x386 or better preferred).

15mghz or better.

640K base/conventional memory minimum.

At least two (2) microdiskette drives (720k or larger); or, (preferred) one (1) microdiskette drive (720k or larger) and a 10mb hard drive or larger.

MDA, CGA, EGA, VGA or SVGA video standards supported.

Color display preferred (see, e.g., Auricle Screen Example #1, shown in Omnibook screen, above)..

At least one (1) parallel printer port (LPT1) for the Auricle Lock Key (provided). The parallel port must by configured for OUTPUT only (not bidirectional).

At least one (1) 8 bit ISA expansion slot for a V24s MIDI card (see next bullet item).

Notebooks do not have ISA/PCI card slots. If you have or are about to acquire a notebook computer you will have to obtain one with a docking station or external card cage or carrier with an ISA slot. By far, the most ideal notebook for this purpose is HP's Omibook 800 (pictured left).

We are now looking into the design and manufacture of a PCMCIA, USB or Firewire V24s, functionally equivalent MIDI "card." This page will be amended as soon as some significant progress has been made in this regard.

The best choice. And, particularly, this HP Omnibook with its associated docking station is the best choice for those who expect to be carting the Auricle around to scoring stages. Aside from preëminent portability, these Omnibooks are truly noiseless and thus ideal for those who sit at the editor's table near the surround mics. We have a few of these in stock at all times fully tested then preconfigured for Auricle use.

In our experience, Toshibas (3200,'s, 6400's, 6600's) are "military grade" machines. Many Auricle owners have used these for years without incident. Though increasingly rare, with some effort one can find "pre-owned" Toshibas at great savings. A place to start looking for a "pre-owned" computer is the American Computer Exchange.

Voyetra V24s MIDI Interface Card (no other MIDI card will do at the moment (see FAQ#6). NOTE: AURICLE will load and run on a platform that does not have an installed V24s, but all I/O (clicks, streamers, MIDI clocks, etc) is disabled. The Voyetra V24s is not required for the Yamaha C1. If you can't find a V24s, let us know - we have them in stock.

______________________________ Graphic: Yamaha C1

Operating Systems/Environments:

Generic PC's -- MS- or PC- DOS 3.2 or later. We recommend IBM PC-DOS 2000. Yamaha C1 -- DOS 3.2 ONLY.

Because of its reliance on IBM/V24s specific ISA hardware resources and the need for a PC parallel port for the Auricle Lock Key, AURICLE can NOT be made to run in a 'DOS window' on a Macintosh (regarding a Macintosh version of the AURICLE, see FAQ#3).

Although AURICLE is a 'windowing' application, it is not an MS-Windows application. That having been said, AURICLE will nevertheless run from MS Windows 95 and 98 in full screen mode and some owners have done so successfully (although there have been some 'anomalies'-see FAQ#5 ). But much of that success has depended upon certain hardware and software configurations which you may or may not have.

Streamer and Punch Generator (optional): The AURICLE behaves identically with or without an attached video overlay streamer generator. But if you wish to 'see' streamers and punches (see FAQ#7 ) 'over' your running videos, you'll need it. The preferred streamer generator is available from a third party, Cueline APS (Denmark). The original TESLA streamer generator is now out of production.

UREI Quality Click Generator (optional): The AURICLE generates "clix" via an internal "beep" and/or via definable MIDI notes over specifiable MIDI channels. You may thus attach any MIDI sampler, drum machine, etc. to get a 'click'. Usually this turns out to be a 'side stick'. But we don't recommend this if you are going to work in front of a live orchestra. The Cueline APS streamer generator, above, produces URIE quality clicks along with its streamers and punches. For a stand alone studio quality clicker, consider a ClickKicker or the the GES MIDI click generator.

Travel Case: If you opt for the Omnibook as your Auricle computer platform along with the Cueline for your clicks and streamers, then note that all of these gear can be put together into a single, baggage checkable road-worthy case. See animated example here.